Crumbling Buildings Endanger Smithsonian Treasures

A new report says artifacts in the Smithsonian Museum are endangered because of facilities that are in bad disrepair. For example: “A leak at the National Air and Space Museum caused rust on the wing of the first plane to hit Mach 2. Plaster walls are weeping in the Renwick Gallery. Some buildings and exhibits on the Mall and at the National Zoo have closed because of disrepair, and more leaks threaten the Smithsonian’s historic collections and irreplaceable objects, the report says. Cost to fix and maintain the deteriorating facilities over the next nine years? At least $2.3 billion, the Smithsonian estimates — almost 13 times its current facilities budget.”